When I first dreamed of writing a book about Disneyland, I really only knew two things.  First, I didn’t want to write another Disney history book. Those already existed, I had read almost all of them, and knew that I couldn’t do better than what was already available.  I also didn’t want to write another Disney business book. Those, too, already existed. Plus, I have never worked for Disney and am in education, not business. Instead, I wanted to marry two different markets—our love for Disney and the Disney Parks with our need for personal growth and development.  If you want to know what your passion is then ask yourself this question, What am I willing to read 500 books on? Now no worries.  In order to pursue your passion, you don’t actually have to read 500 books.  But knowing … [Read more...]

As we look forward to Thanksgiving Week, I want to take a moment and look backwards. When we think about the history of Thanksgiving, most of us remember the stories from the pilgrims, the Mayflower, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. What you may not know, or may not remember, is that our nation did not have Thanksgiving as an official National Holiday until Abraham Lincoln declared one in November 1863—in the middle of the American Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, the man who saved the Union and abolished slavery, was Walt Disney’s favorite President. Abraham Lincoln once said, “You live the life you think about.” Stop for a moment and think about those words. “You live the life you think about.” Too many of us are slaves to our own thinking. As we get ready to celebrate on … [Read more...]

If it weren’t for Nabisco, I’m not sure that I ever would have noticed.  It took a package of Oreo sandwich cookies, a special edition package, for me to realize that Mickey Mouse and Steamboat Willie turn 90 on November 18.  Instead of the traditional vanilla, Mickey’s morsels come complete with birthday cake flavored filling. Yes, they are delicious. In my defense, it is fitting that it took an Oreo cookie for me to realize that Mickey is turning 90, making this year’s celebration extra sweet.  Both the cookie and the cartoon premiered in New York City. Both originally came only in black and white. Both also appeared together in Disney’s first commercially sponsored cartoon, Mickey’s Surprise Party, which ends with Mickey bringing home an assortment of Nabisco products to … [Read more...]

On October 5, 2001, Disneyland guests experienced their first official “Nightmare.”  No, the park didn’t close early, experience a multitude of mechanical breakdowns, or (gasp) run out of ice cream.  This was debut day for The Nightmare Before Christmas— now an annual Holiday Overlay inspired by an Imagineer asking, “which Disney character would celebrate Christmas in the Haunted Mansion?”    The answer, of course, is Jack Skellington.  As “Sandy Claws,” Skellington moves into the Mansion and shows guests what happens when two holidays, Halloween and Christmas, collide.  Ironically, in 1993 when Disney first released Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas, they were scared of Skellington.  Fearing that the film was too dark and scary for kids, executives endeavored to distance the … [Read more...]

October is a big month for fans of Walt Disney World. October is when the Orlando Sentinel announced in 1965 that Disney was coming to Central Florida. October is when the resort opened with its first theme park, Magic Kingdom, in 1971. October is also when Epcot opened, finally, in 1982. October is also when Beyond the Wisdom of Walt: Life Lessons from the Happiest Place on Earth released. In celebration of the one-year anniversary, I want to share an excerpt from my book on Walt Disney World. This is the opening story for Chapter 2, “Learning to Let it Go”. Enjoy! ABOVE THE CRYSTAL ARTS SHOP on Main Street, U.S.A. in Walt Disney World is a curious window. This, like many of the Main Street windows at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, is a tribute window- Walt’s way of giving … [Read more...]

They haven’t always been there. Disneyland’s mountains. You realize that they haven’t always been there, right? Disneyland opened in 1955 with an assortment of attractions. Twenty-one to be exact. Opening day experiences ranged from a railroad you could ride, a steamboat you could sail, to a jungle you could cruise. But no mountains. I remembered this two years ago when my dad, who lives in Tennessee, came to California for a visit. He had been to Southern California, once, in 1960, for a trip to Disneyland. Fifty-five years later, he was shocked to see so many mountains surrounding Los Angeles. “Son, I swear these mountains weren’t here when your mom and I visited back in 1960.” “Well, you know dad, it’s possible that Southern California has added mountains since the … [Read more...]

It was important that I go back. Granted, I have been to Disneyland more times than I can possibly count. But thirty years after stepping into Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom for the first time, on August 19, 1988, it was important to me that I return on the exact day of the thirtieth anniversary—August 19, 2018. The irony, of course, is that I hated Disneyland on my first visit. Why? First, I am obsessed with the weather and compulsive about avoiding hot weather. Some of my memories from that first visit have melted over time, but three decades later the memory of me melting under the heat lamp that is the summer sun in Southern California still burns. According to Mark Twain, the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. I spent the summer of 1988 in San … [Read more...]

Last month, I took my Dad to a Braves baseball game in Atlanta.  The promotional event that evening, on a hot and humid summer night, was “Christmas in July.”  Given my obsession with the 1990s band, The Counting Crows, I couldn’t help but think of one of their most memorable songs, A Long December.  Depending on your perspective, December was either arriving six months too early or six months too late.  The choice is yours.   I was confused the entire evening.  No one, including Olaf from Frozen, wants to see Santa sweltering through summer.  Take Me Out to the Ballgame isn’t a Christmas Carol.  My Dad, born in 1938, turns 80 on December 22nd.  For nine innings I tried to figure out if I should say “Happy Birthday” six months early, or was I already three days late? My … [Read more...]

Thirty years ago this month (August 19, 1988 to be exact), I walked into Disneyland for the first time.  I hated it! Three decades later, I teach a college course on The History of Disneyland.  I write leadership books on Walt Disney, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World. I give professional presentations that inspire leaders and encourage everyone to find the leader within them and follow their dreams. What changed? When I first walked into Disneyland, I knew nothing about Walt Disney and nothing about his Magic Kingdom.  Since then, I have discovered that Walt Disney was the hero in his story. He led teams that changed our world by challenging them to create entirely new and different worlds. How did Walt do it? What leadership lessons can we learn from “The Happiest Place on … [Read more...]

Niki and I spent some time in Chicago this summer. While there, we stopped by the Museum of Science and Industry to experience the excellent Science of Pixar exhibit. As we were walking into the gallery, I was struck by a quote on the wall by Ed Catmull, President of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Creativity is about solving problems.” Think about that for just a moment….creativity is about solving problems. I don’t know about you, but I certainly have some challenges in my life, my business, and my career that could use some creative problem solving! As we walked through the exhibit, I also reflected on the fact that the museum sits inside the former Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The Columbian Exposition celebrated the 400th anniversary of … [Read more...]